Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0 : UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1 : Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2 : UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated : All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

Rapid and continued economic dynamism has translated into growth and reduced poverty levels in several countries in Asia and the Pacific. Greater foreign direct investments and capital movements, accentuated by higher regional mobility, are reasons for further optimism for future regional growth. This progress has often come at the expense of the human rights of minorities, marginalized and disadvantaged and at-risk groups in the interest of investments and financial gains

UNDP’s Rule of Law and Human Rights Team, as part of the Asia Pacific Governance and Peacebuilding Unit of the Bangkok Regional Hub, is currently engaged in promoting the implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). The UNGPs clarify the duty of states and the responsibility of businesses to uphold international norms and treaties on human rights. These Guiding Principles rest on three pillars: 1) the State’s duty to protect human rights; 2) the corporate responsibility to respect human rights and; 3) the joint-responsibility of both the State and businesses sector to provide access to remedy for victims of business-related abuses. UNDP’s Business and Human Rights (B+HR) Asia Portfolio (2025–2030) provides a regional framework for strengthening responsible business conduct and embedding human rights across fast-changing Asian economies. Building on a decade of experience and established multi-stakeholder platforms, the portfolio supports governments, businesses, civil society, youth, and the media to navigate growing global due-diligence expectations, environmental and digital risks, and evolving trade and investment dynamics. Its work spans policy and regulatory reform, sector-specific human rights due diligence, access to remedy, responsible supply chains, and capacity building for companies, rights holders, and state institutions.

The Portfolio delivers this mandate through four interlinked pillars: amplifying state and corporate accountability; expanding inclusive and gender-responsive participation; strengthening rights-holder agency and civic space; and enhancing rights-aligned business systems. These efforts are grounded in practical tools, country-level implementation, and strong regional partnerships across 15 countries. By 2030, the portfolio aims to help institutionalize responsible business practices across sectors, resulting in stronger governance, safer and more ethical supply chains, empowered communities, and transparent markets that support resilient, sustainable, and equitable economic development across Asia.

The Business and Human Rights Asia Portfolio (B+HR Asia) intends to hire a Business and Human Rights Officer to support to provide coordination and logistics support for regional and country level activities including the production and delivery of regional conferences, coordination on knowledge products, and any other tasks required within the portfolio. Under the overall guidance of the Business and Human Rights Portfolio lead, the Business and Human Rights Officer ensures effective coordination with country offices within the Portfolio, as well as partners and stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Business and Human Rights Officer will work under the overall guidance of the Business and Human Rights Portfolio Manager, Governance and Peacebuilding Team, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub.

The Business and Human Rights Officer, in close cooperation with the portfolio team and under the direct guidance and supervision of the Business and Human Rights in Asia - Portfolio Manager will ensure the provision of coordination and technical support functions contributing to the design, planning, implementation, management, and monitoring to the highest quality and standards.

The specific duties and responsibilities of the Business and Human Rights Officer during the assignment will include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Coordination of Portfolio and Regional Activities

• Provide coordination support for portfolio-level regional activities, ensuring alignment across workstreams, timelines, and country engagements under the Business and Human Rights in Asia Portfolio.
• Support coordination of cross-cutting initiatives, including the Corporate Sustainability and Environmental Rights in Asia (CSERA) Conference, inter-agency coordination meetings, regional dialogues, and other related portfolio events.
• Facilitate internal coordination across UNDP units and inter-agency partners to ensure coherence between regional initiatives, country implementation, and regional Business and Human Rights priorities.

2. Coordination with UNDP Country Offices

• Serve as a focal point for Community of Practice of UNDP Country Offices working on Business and Human Rights, supporting timely information exchange and follow-up on regional and country-level thought-leadership activities.
• Support alignment between regional initiatives and country implementation, including consolidation of country inputs for portfolio planning, monitoring, and reporting.
• Facilitate coordination meetings and follow-up actions with Country Offices to support coherent delivery of Portfolio priorities.

3. Documentation, Communication of Portfolio Results and knowledge management

• Support the systematic documentation of portfolio activities and results, including preparation of meeting notes, event summaries, briefing notes, and internal updates.
• Consolidate inputs from regional and country-level activities to support donor reporting, knowledge products, and portfolio communications, in coordination with relevant UNDP teams.
• Support effective internal communication and information-sharing to ensure visibility of portfolio progress, lessons learned, and emerging priorities.Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Results: Level 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: Level 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously: Level 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: Level 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination: Level 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: Level 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Level 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy

• System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Development

• Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

Business Management

• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
• Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
• Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results

Partnership management

• Relationship Management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business, Public Administration, Law, Economics, Finance, Political Science, International development, International Relations and Social Sciences or related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years (with Master’s degree), or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree), of progressively responsible experience in regional/international programme and programme management, administration and financial management or related field is required.

Required skills:

• At least 2 years of experience in using computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and database management system for projects is required.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• At least 3 years of professional work experience;
• Demonstrable experience in coordinating large-scale events;
• Demonstrate knowledge of business and human rights;
• Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders, including high-level governments officials, business and civil society representatives, human and environmental rights defenders (HREDs) and/or journalists;
• Previous working experience in Asia-Pacific is an asset
• Understanding of international development and the UN context. Report and/or assessments writing for UNDP.
• Strong ability to MS Word and Excel effectively.

Required Languages:

• Proficiency in Thai and English with advanced command of speaking and writing is required.
• Working knowledge of other UN official language is an asset.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

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